Five bargain priced wines from Spain, imported by Kysela Pere et Fils in Winchester, Va. Though I am devoted to the very interesting — at least to me — data about history, geography, personalities, climate and winemaking techniques in other posts, for the “Friday Wine Sips” I eschew such matters for the sake of brevity and immediacy.

These wines were tasted at a wholesaler’s trade event this week.

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Palacio de Bornos Verdejo 2010, Rueda. 13% alc. What can I say? Fresh, zippy, clean, snappy, crisp? You get the idea. Bight lemony scents and flavors with hints of roasted lemon and lime zest, a tinge of something more tropical — pineapple, mango — all enshrined in vivacious acidity and a scintillating limestone element. Quite dry, a touch of savory spice and then austerity in the finish. Ideal aperitif, with tapas or grilled seafood. Drink through the end of this summer. Very Good+. About $14, a Raving Great Value.
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Tres Ojos Rosado 2010, Calatayud. 14% alc. 50% garnacha/50% tempranillo. Lovely rosy-pink copper color; delicate yet fleshy, strawberries and raspberries with a touch of peach skin and a slight shadow of mulberry and limestone earthiness. Clean, dry, surprisingly seductive for the price. Drink up. Very Good. About $10.
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Monte Aman Rosado 2010, Ribera del Arlanza. 13% alc. 100% tempranillo grapes. Medium peachy-red cherry color; wonderful bouquet of rose petals and tangerine, orange zest and melon; a few minutes in the glass bring out hints of raspberries and strawberries, and that’s the realm of the flavors too, with a dense, almost viscous texture, but clean, dry and crisp, with vibrant acidity and flinty minerality in the background. Delightful. Drink through the end of 2012. Very Good+. About $12, Terrific Value.
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Tres Ojos Old Vine Garnacha 2009, Calatayud. 14.5% alc. Always an enjoyable little wine and good value; bright, clean, vivid with red and black currant and blackberry scents and flavors, a whiff of black pepper, savory and a little briery and brambly. Simple, direct, tasty; an appealing quaff for burgers and pizza. Very Good. About $10.
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Montebuena 2009, Rioja. 12.5% alc. 100% tempranillo grapes. Bright, fresh and fruity; ripe, fleshy and spicy; tobacco leaf and lead pencil, red and black cherries steeped in brandy with cloves and sandalwood; lovely balance, integration and concentration of all elements, lovely clean intensity; a hint of briers and tar in the depths, a bit of rooty earthiness. Wines at this price aren’t supposed to have this much character. Drink through 2013 or ’14. Very Good+. About $12, and you had better go buy a case right now.
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